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Smoked the old guy

05.07.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 5 Comments

As I pulled out of the Veloway parking lot to ride home this evening after my weekly three-times-around-the-Veloway ride, I was passed by a familiar-looking bike. It was orange. The rider was tall. Unbelievable. It couldn’t be HIM!

But when I caught up to him at the stoplight at the top of the hill, I saw that it was. Orange Novara Stradas are just not all that common around here. We chatted briefly, although with a bit more substance this time, and once again, I took off first when the light changed.

This time, I was aware of him behind me. He followed me again all the way to the intersection by the supermarket, when we were stopped at another red light. “Man, it’s a hot one today,” he said. It was about 92° F. We were both bathed in sweat. We chatted some more, and it turns out he lives just one neighborhood over from me.

When the light changed, I was ready. I had kept the chain in the large chainring, but my cleat missed the pedal when I jumped forward. He must have seen my trouble and held back, wary of the heavy traffic at that intersection. I finally clicked in, stood on the pedals, and charged up the notorious Mild Suburban Incline.

No cars were turning into the supermarket lot, so I was able to keep accelerating up the grade. This time, he didn’t pass me. When I got to the top of the grade, I looked back to check on traffic, since I have to cross two lanes to make a left turn. He was a good 50 yards behind. I signaled my left, crossed the lanes, and gave him a wave as I turned towards home.

Dang! I smoked the old guy, just three weeks after he got me. Yeah, baby! There’s life in this old dog yet!

What’s that? Huh? Well…I guess you’re right. For there to be a race, both guys need to know they’re racing.

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Categories // Rides, training

Taking a wheel

05.04.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 2 Comments

Great ride on Southwest Parkway today. I went 22.4 miles at an average speed of 15 mph. This is the hilliest route I do, and can be quite challenging for me. The thighs protested at the beginning, but by mid-ride, they were pumped into submission.

Did something today I’ve never done before. I asked for a pull from a stranger. As I was going up a gentle grade, a cyclist passed me with a pleasant, “Good morning!” He was moving a little faster than me, but wasn’t really pulling away. I caught him at the top of a long hill. He looked over his shoulder at me, and I asked, “OK if I take your wheel?” “Sure,” he said, and off we went.

After drafting on a couple of club rides, I now feel confident following someone closely. I stayed between six inches and two feet behind him, and I think he was a little surprised to look back at the top of yet another hill and find me still there. “Where you going?” he asked. “Barton Creek Road, a little past it, then I turn around and head back,” I replied.

He evidently thought I meant to turn at Barton Creek Road, which is another hilly route through a very swanky neighborhood. A long, fast downhill leads to that intersection. He waved back at me, and crossed against the red light. I stopped. I do not blow red lights. Period. He was a good quarter mile ahead when he looked back and saw that I was continuing after him. He seemed to slow down a bit, but after a mile or two, the road is divided by a large median. That’s where I make my turnaround. By then he was out of sight around a bend.

So, if you were that cyclist with the CSC team jersey and the salt-and-pepper ponytail and beard, thanks for the pull. I’m a whole lot better on the downhills than the uphills, and drafting you helped a bunch. Maybe someday I can return the favor. But please, don’t antagonize motorists by blowing red lights.

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Categories // Rides, Technique

A look at four months of riding

05.03.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 3 Comments

Just noticed we’ve entered a new month, so I thought I’d recap what my riding has been like over the past four months.

  • January – April: 35 rides
  • Total mileage: 645
  • Avg. speed: 14.68 mph
  • Highest avg. speed on a single ride: 17.15 mph
  • Highest maximum speed on a single ride: 37.4 mph
  • Longest single ride: 47.4 miles
  • Monthly mileage
    • January: 161
    • February: 96
    • March: 128
    • April: 270

Compared with many, many bikers — some from colder areas than Texas — this isn’t extraordinary. Compared with where I was a year ago at this time, well, a year ago I wasn’t even on a bike. I think I’ll be satisfied that I’ve come a reasonable way in a short amount of time.

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Categories // Records & stats, Rides, training

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